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What should you do if you hit an animal in New Jersey?

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Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C.

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Written/Reviewed By:

Barry S. Kantrowitz, Esq.

Last Updated: Jul 26, 2022

Read Time: 3 mins

If you hit an animal in New Jersey with your car, you should immediately stop. Then ascertain the extent of the animal’s injuries and report the accident to the nearest police station or the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. You are required to follow this course of action by the applicable New Jersey statute. If this has happened to you, contact us at Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. for more information on how we may be able to assist you.

Filing a police report and other steps to take

After hitting an animal, if possible, take photographs at the accident scene in case you need them as evidence for any potential claims with your insurance company. For example, your car was damaged, or you were injured. Perhaps you stopped abruptly and sustained injuries from the airbag, or the animal shattered your windshield, and you’ve been cut by shards of glass.

Further, make sure you don’t get too close to the animal because you could sustain more injuries if it is still alive. Finally, provide the police with as detailed an account as possible so the police report accurately depicts the accident. Request a copy of it in case you decide to file a claim with your insurance company.

Potential claims after hitting an animal

In New Jersey, you may be able to seek compensation for the damage to yourself or your car. New Jersey is a no-fault state, so you would be able to seek compensation for your medical injuries regardless of who is liable for the accident. You may be able to file a claim with your insurance company for the damage to your vehicle, depending on your coverage. If you hit an animal that belonged to someone else, you may be able to seek compensation from its owner. However, this would depend on whether they were negligent.

Contact us today for a free consultation

Since 1975, we have provided large-firm, full-service legal work at Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. We are big enough to do it all and small enough to care. We are experienced and compassionate and fight for the rights of our injured clients. If you need help after being involved in an accident with an animal, reach out to us today to schedule a free case review with our team of car accident lawyers. We proudly serve residents of Rockland County in New York and Bergen County in New Jersey. Contact us today.

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Client Reviews

    
 
 
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   LWelsh 
 15 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Clever and efficient.
  
 
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   Kenny Perlow 
 36 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. KGG Law, and Barry Kantrowitz in particular, set the bar high for what a thorough, practical, strategic, compassionate and smart lawyer can be. Everything about Barry's advice and representation was exemplary and the stress mitigation that resulted was invaluable. On top of that, the ultimate result Barry achieved was beyond what was reasonable to expect and we are forever grateful. Often, people say that you hire a lawyer to prevent a problem. Sometimes, unfortunately, you need an attorney to solve a problem and I could not recommend Barry and his firm any more highly in that regard.
  
 
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   Aliza Ali 
 100 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My dad had a great experience with this law firm. From the very beginning, the team was professional, knowledgeable, and always willing to answer our questions. They kept us informed throughout the entire process and made what could have been a very stressful situation much easier to handle. We truly appreciated their dedication, honesty, and hard work. Thanks to their support, my dad felt confident every step of the way. We are very grateful for everything they did and would highly recommend this firm to anyone looking for reliable legal representation.
  
 
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   Jana Montero 
 103 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a wonderful experience working with Sam Smith. He was very responsive, thorough, and easy to work with from start to finish. He walked me through everything clearly and made what started as a very stressful situation for me into something completely manageable. I would not hesitate to recommend him and the firm!
  
 
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   Mike Sakmann 
 109 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I sought legal advice regarding an employment matter and had an excellent experience working with Sam Smith, Esq. at KGG Law. Sam was thorough, attentive, and took the time to listen carefully to my concerns before providing clear, thoughtful guidance. I appreciated the professionalism and care shown throughout the process, and I would confidently recommend KGG Law to anyone in need of legal assistance.
  
 
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   Liz Hecker 
 115 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I can't say enough about this firm. They manage to comfort you during the whole legal process while staying professional and doing what is right. I would recommend them to anyone and also hire them again if I need legal help.
  
 
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   Brandy Miller 
 138 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kate is the best. She helped me very quickly, and was very attentive with all of my needs. So thankful for her
  
 
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   Mike Greenspan 
 151 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kate Carballo is a dedicated, passionate, and creative attorney whom I had the pleasure to lecture with at a state trial lawyer's conference. Kate's lecture demonstrated how she uses her innovative and "out-of-the-box thinking" to achieve outstanding results for her injured clients. That Kate is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a civil trial attorney is a testament to her skills, experience and commitment to excellence.
  
 
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   Jonathan Sampson 
 158 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Was referred to KGG law by a friend and could not have asked for better legal representation. They walked me through every step of the process after my accident and began every call with “ how are you feeling” which was just one example of how much they care about their clients. They handled my case very efficiently, professionally and courteously. My attorney Kate Carballo was a rock star! So clearly experienced, she consistently made me feel at ease with the process. Highly recommend
  
 
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   Vinnie Kung 
 161 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a great experience with the team at KGG Law. While it was a traumatic time for our family, they made it very easy for us and explained all of our options. They even performed due diligence to make sure that after our settlement, there would be no further issues which I think is even more important than the settlement itself. Thank you!

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What should you do if you hit an animal in New Jersey?

Why Trust Us?

Rockland County, New York

Bergen County, New Jersey